“The idea is simple: bright coding minds will spend a weekend at local zoos,” said US Undersecretary of State Catherine Novelli, officially launching the initiative on this year’s World Wildlife Day. “There, they’ll consider problems submitted by our partner NGOs and field-professionals and develop tech solutions to address these challenges.”

Spurred by demand for traditional medicine, delicacies, decorations, accessories and exotic pets, wildlife trafficking has driven species such as elephants, rhinos, tigers, turtles and pangolins to critical threatened status. With destination markets and transit routes spanning most of the world, the trade feeds into a broader consolidated network of organized crime encompassing gun, drug and human trafficking. The US Wildlife Trafficking Alliance hopes the Zoohackathon will help further the National Strategy on Combating Wildlife Trafficking’s objectives by identifying potential technological solutions to increase awareness, improve attitudes, inform choices and reduce demand. The event also aims to reinvigorate and expand the discussion to new audiences worldwide.

Participants will include teams of wildlife experts, coders, tech geeks, NGOs and designers who’ll pitch their ideas to an expert judging panel and compete for prizes locally. Winners from each site can vie for a global prize too. Conservation tech leaders will guide promising groups in turning their solutions into market-ready products.

Visit www.zoohackathon.com to register for the London, San Diego, Seattle, Sydney and DC sites. They are currently accepting problem statements.

For more information or to get involved by mentoring, connecting with coders and experts, giving providing financial support, judging, volunteering or aiding the publicity effort, email the Zoohackathon Coordinator at the US Department of State, DeMark Schulze (schulzedf@state.gov), or Zoohackathon@state.gov.